EPCAL Legislation Approved

Source: Town of Riverhead Reproduced with permission of: Office of the Supervisor Sean M. Walter

The new law (S.3643/A.4678) signed by the Governor will allow the Town of Riverhead to frontload the environmental studies for potential development on the site which will allow for a streamlined approval process for applications that are consistent with the EPCAL reuse plan. "This legislation will give EPCAL the kind of competitive edge needed to compete in today's market," stated Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean M. Walter. "Businesses need certainty and a 90-day approval process will provide just that."

"I cannot express how grateful I am to Senator Kenneth LaValle, Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Governor Cuomo for their efforts in achieving this goal," Supervisor Walter said. "Their commitment to finding a balance between the environment and economic development is strongly evidenced by the actions they took to get this law passed."

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle said, "The EPCAL site is the last major economic development site in Suffolk County. For the Town of Riverhead it means tax relief and for all of the East End it will spur economic development and create jobs."

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. noted, "The redevelopment of this site will mean great things, not only for the Town of Riverhead, but for the entire East End. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing our legislation and recognizing the importance of this initiative."

This law, "An Act in relation to a plan for the development of the Enterprise Park at Calverton" provides a method to streamline development and eliminate inconsistent or redundant land use controls. It is part of the Town's ongoing effort to encourage economic development and to create high value jobs for our residents. It creates an incentive for private business to locate to EPCAL. While the process does not alter applicable substantive review and approval standards, the reduced paperwork and time savings afforded projects that are consistent with the Reuse & Revitalization Plan should translate into an economic advantage as projects become operational more quickly and with less effort than under the normal, piecemeal review and permitting schemes. The law creates an expedited review process 90 days for projects consistent with the Reuse & Revitalization plan. If the project is not eligible for expedited review, the project may continue through the regular review and permitting process.

Kevin Law, President & CEO of the Long Island Association: "The redevelopment of EPCAL is crucial to the economic future of both Riverhead and all of Long Island, and thus I commend Supervisor Walter and Senator LaValle for their efforts to attract private investment and create jobs made possible by passage of the legislation, which the LIA supported."

"The enactment of this legislation is the best example of community, business and environmental groups working together with government to achieve a common goal," Supervisor Walter concluded.